Illicit Discharge Laws

What is an illicit discharge?

The EPA defines an illicit (or illegal) discharge as any discharge into a storm drain system this is not composed entirely of stormwater. This includes: pollutants poured on the ground then carried by stormwater runoff; pollutants poured into a storm drain, ditch, or stream; or a physical connection (like a pipe) installed to carry pollutants from a source into a storm sewer system without a permit.

Why are illicit discharges a problem?

Storm drain systems empty directly into natural waterways (streams, rivers, and wetlands), and do not go to a water treatment plant. So, any pollution that makes its way into storm drains can damage the environment and pose risks to human health. Rain water can easily carry pollution from parking lots, streets, and lawns, such as litter, oil, or fertilizer into storm drains and from there into waterways that we use for drinking water, fishing, swimming and so on.

What are some examples of illicit discharges?

Click any of the sources of pollution below to learn the consequences of these pollutants in the environment and ways to keep them out of lakes, rivers, and wetlands.